Three file as write-in candidates for Batavia's 7th Ward

BATAVIA – There are three people running as write-in candidates for the 7th Ward seat on the Batavia City Council.

In December, no one filed a nomination petition for the 7th Ward, where Alderman Dawn Tenuta is not running for re-election.

Drew McFadden, 43, on Monday filed his paperwork with Batavia City Clerk Heidi Wetzel. Thursday is the deadline to file as a write-in candidate.

“I think I can make a difference,” said McFadden, founder of WindmillNext, a digital marketing agency.

McFadden said the deadline to file nominating petitions had already passed by the time he decided to run for the seat. McFadden said one of his goals is to continue smart development in the city’s downtown and along the Randall Road corridor.

“I want to continue to make Batavia a great place to raise a family,” he said.

Pat Purcell on Friday also filed as a write-in candidate for the 7th Ward seat. Purcell could not be reached for comment.

Steve Holland has also filed as a write-in candidate. He was disciplined in November by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

The state in November refused to renew Holland’s real estate broker license for “his failure to perform on a guaranteed sales plan and engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public,” according to a report from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.